TRIALS OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS MOVE FORWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001708 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, DRL, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, S/CT NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2018 TAGS: PGOV KIRF KISL ID SUBJECT: TRIALS OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS MOVE FORWARD REF: A. JAKARTA 1593 ¶B. JAKARTA 1134 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The trial of an Islamic militant charged with fomenting assault during a June 1 extremist attack on a peaceful rally is continuing in Jakarta. According to accounts, defense attorneys and fellow militants have threatened witnesses both verbally and physically. The judge and police have apparently not intervened effectively to control the proceedings. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY (Con'd): Separately, the trial of another militant implicated in the same incident has begun in Jakarta. As in the case mentioned above, Islamic extremists reportedly filled the courtroom and intimidated witnesses and others. Over all, it is positive that the GOI is moving forward with the trials, although it clearly needs to get a grip on the surrounding atmosphere. END SUMMARY. ONE TRIAL CONTINUES... ¶3. (C) The trial of a well-known militant is continuing in Jakarta. Islamic Defender's Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab is charged with "inciting hostility" and "fomenting assault" in connection with a June 1 attack on a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta during which dozens of human rights activists were injured (see reftels). (Note: The FPI is a small, but active Islamic extremist group that has been implicated in other incidents in recent years.) Shihab's trial began on August 21 and is being held in a court in central Jakarta. If convicted on all of the charges, Shihab faces up to five to six years in prison. ¶4. (C) The trial is not going smoothly, to put it mildly. According to various accounts, defense attorneys and fellow militants have threatened witnesses both verbally and physically. Poloff met with several witnesses in the trial from the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) on September 8 who say they were threatened both verbally and physically by the defense lawyer and FPI members. (Note: The AKKBB was the sponsor of the June 1 rally which was attacked by the FPI.) AKKBB lawyer Asfinawati and activist Uli Parulian Sihombing--both witnesses in the trial--said the judge and police have not intervened effectively to control the proceedings. Indeed, they asserted that the trial judge--who has a poor reputation--often speaks to witnesses in an accusatory manner. They also charged that the prosecutor is ineffective and passive. Two witnesses from AKKBB have withdrawn their testimony due to intimidation and threats, they said. ¶5. (C) Rafendi Djamin, Coordinator for the Coalition for International Human Rights Advocacy (HRWG) and a well-known human rights activist, said there had been very little police presence at the Shihab trial, allowing the FPI members to fill the courtroom and basically deny seating to liberal activists. Angry about the proceedings, AKKBB has filed a complaint with the National Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (KOMNAS Perempuan). AND ANOTHER STARTS ¶6. (SBU) Separately, another trial of an extremist has begun. The GOI brought charges against Islam Troop Commander (KLI) Munarman (one name only) on August 29. The trial continued on September 4 with the testimony of the first witnesses. Munarman was charged with "ambush," property damage, torture, and "provocation" for his role in the June 1 attack. If convicted, Munarman faces up to seven years in prison. Munarman, a long-time militant, is the former Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI),a JAKARTA 00001708 002 OF 002 moderate group, but resigned under pressure due to his association with the extremist group, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI). ¶7. (C) Despite the presence of police, witnesses told poloff that hundreds of FPI supporters packed the courtroom, shouting "Allahu Akbar" when Munarman entered. On September 2, two witnesses testified against Munarman, including Ahmad Suaedi, Executive Director of the Wahid Institute, who was injured in the attack. ¶8. (C) Suaedi told poloff that defense lawyers accused religious freedom coalition activists and witnesses of provoking the attack by placing an advertisement for the June 1 religious tolerance rally in local newspapers. He said the defense lawyers ignored the evidence that women and children were injured in the attack and attempted to cover it up, despite eyewitness accounts. The defense lawyer also accused AKKBB of not obtaining official permission to stage the rally, claiming it was in violation of the law. POSITIVES, NEGATIVES ¶9. (C) Over all, it is positive that the GOI is moving forward with the trials. The fact that the government has done so is a solid indication that the GOI wants to send a strong signal to hard-liners. That said, the GOI needs to get a grip on the surrounding atmosphere. In a briefing to the diplomatic community, human rights activists recently called on the international community to pressure the government to better monitor the trial and protect witnesses from intimidation and threats. DepPol/C expressed our concern over the reports to contacts in the President's Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs, and we will continue to monitor the situation. HUME